NUNZIUM

In a landmark third consecutive victory, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) celebrated a win last Saturday. Vice President Lai Ching-te, with Hsiao Bi-khim, the country's recent top envoy to the United States as his Vice President, ascended to the presidency. Winning just over 40% of the total votes, the election result was a clear indication of the public's view on Taiwan's sovereignty and its relationship with China.

The election saw a turnout of just over 71%, with over 14 million people casting their votes. The opposition parties, the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), garnered 33.49% and 26.45% of the votes respectively. The election served as a platform to debate livelihood issues and strategies to handle an increasingly assertive China under Xi Jinping's leadership.

The DPP's victory highlighted the voters' support for Taiwan's sovereignty and underscored the need for stronger defenses against China's threats and deeper relations with democratic countries. This contrasts with China's Taiwan Affairs Office's claim that the election result does not represent the island's mainstream view, as China has always seen Taiwan as part of its territory, despite never having controlled it.

The DPP's triumph occurs amidst the United States' efforts to stabilize relations with China. Taiwan had previously fortified its ties with the U.S., leading to increased support and arms sales to the island. Following the election, the Biden administration plans to dispatch an unofficial delegation to Taipei.

China could potentially escalate economic and military pressure on Taiwan in response to the election result, according to analysts. However, Taiwan's security officials do not anticipate immediate large-scale military actions from China.

Economic issues such as low wages and housing remain major concerns for Taiwan's younger voters. The DPP, in power for eight years, faces criticism for not improving living conditions, with issues such as rising house prices, stagnant incomes, significant youth unemployment, and a modest annual GDP growth of around 2%. However, some young Taiwanese, like 32-year-old Ziwei, remain optimistic about their future. The DPP has pledged to address these economic concerns by building more affordable housing, raising the minimum wage, and investing in skills development for younger workers.

Meanwhile, Xi Jinping, China's leader, has recently advocated for strengthening Beijing's sovereignty claim over the Senkaku Islands, which have never been controlled by China or Taiwan. Despite this, China has initiated drilling around the islands, ignoring the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This has led to suggestions that Japan should bolster its defenses on the islands, which it nationalized in September 2012.

In conclusion, the recent election in Taiwan and China's assertiveness over the Senkaku Islands highlight the ongoing tensions in East Asia. As Taiwan asserts its sovereignty and China expands its territorial claims, the world watches with bated breath. The future will reveal whether Taiwan maintains its stand against China's assertiveness.